A picture-perfect promotion

So seems to be the thinking behind the Stockton Thunder's game ice Friday night, where messages, swirls, doodles and just about anything else colorful graced most of the ice surface.

Of course, such important surfaces as the lines and goalie creases remained doodle-free.

But the rest of the ice was a colorful backdrop to the Thunder's ECHL match-up with the San Francisco Bulls.

About 850 painters took to the ice last week to provide the canvas - many of them children who are part of the Thunder's youth club.

According to the Thunder, it's the first time a professional hockey game has been played on ice painted by the fans, and it will be for one night only. Team president Brian Sandy cleared the idea with ECHL officials and picked the date partially because the Thunder starts a five-game road trip after Friday's contest.

"It all worked out pretty well, and we were so happy with the response," Sandy said. "The kids seemed to have a lot of fun, which was the point of the whole thing."

Stockton players who practiced on it said it was a bit of a different experience.

"At first it was a little tricky to see the puck. But you make adjustments," Thunder captain Garet Hunt said. "It was great to do for the kids, and it will be the same for both teams."

Lest those who insist on fair play think it was a cruel trick for the Thunder to make the Bulls play on rather garish ice, remember that just last month, the Bulls hosted the Thunder and played in what the Bulls called Ugly Sweater Specialty Jersey Night.